Fernandez makes Atletico switch

Posted Saturday, January 02, 2016 by foxsportsasia.com

Atletico Madrid head coach Diego Simeone has wasted no time in the January transfer window after signing Augusto Fernandez from La Liga rivals Celta Vigo.

Simeone has moved to bolster his midfield options after losing Tiago Mendes to a fractured leg in November, which will keep him on the sidelines for a number of months.

Fernandez made his final appearance for the Galicians on Wednesday on home soil in a 1-0 defeat to Athletic Bilbao, before travelling to Madrid where he completed a medical on New Year's Eve.

The 29-year-old midfielder brings to an end a four-year association with Celta and joins Atleti on a three-and-a-half-year contract for a reported fee of €6.5 million.

The Madrid outfit confirmed the deal in a statement which read: "Augusto Matias Fernandez has become Atletico de Madrid's new player after the agreement reached between our entity and Celta de Vigo.

"The Argentinian midfielder underwent the medical examination on Thursday and this Jan 1, he has formalised his contract with our club for the remainder of the season and three more campaigns."

Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Simeone added on compatriot Fernandez: "This gives us more options at midfield.

""He has played in various positions in the middle and will give us alternatives to compete internally so that we can be competitive on the outside, which is what we are looking for."